Electronic card table with hinged table top

ABSTRACT

A table game apparatus including a substantially planar table top having an upper surface and a lower surface extending to a border. The table top defines a centrally located electronic display. A plate is attached to the lower surface for supporting the table top. A support frame supports the table top. A hinge is used for pivotal movement of the table top relative to the support frame between a closed position and an open position. The plate presents a plate aperture substantially co-extensive with the electronic display and the plate is connected to the hinge for supporting the table top.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/610,262, filed Sep. 16, 2004,all of its contents incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a table game apparatus for playing anelectronic game.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art discloses an array of gaming tables having table topspivotally supported on a support frame, such as that shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,435,970, issued to Baerlocher et al. Such gaming tables include atable top having an upper surface and a lower surface extending to aborder wherein the table top defines a centrally located electronicdisplay. The table top is attached by a hinge to the support frame forallowing the table top to be adjustable between a closed and an openposition.

It is also known in the table art in general to support a table top on aplate fixed to a support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides such a table game apparatus distinguishedby a plate presenting a plate aperture substantially co-extensive withan electronic display and connected to a hinge for supporting andpivoting the table top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table game apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tablegame apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, a table game apparatus 10 forplaying an electronic game is shown. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10may provide an electronic card game, such as poker, using virtual cardsand virtual chips to a plurality of players. One said apparatus isdisclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/610,262.

The apparatus 10 includes a substantially planar table top 20 having anupper surface 22 and a lower surface 24 extending to a border 26. Aplurality of pieces 28 are disposed about the border 26 to define abumper 30 that is rigid, by example and not meant to be limiting, thebumper 30 may be enclosed in a leather or cotton shell. The table top 20defines a centrally located electronic display 32 that is embedded intoand substantially flush with the upper surface 22 of the table top 20.The electronic display 32 may show virtual cards representing thevirtual dealer's cards, player seat assignments, wager information forparticipants of the game, pot information and/or other information. Inan alternative embodiment, the electronic display 32 may be implementedto cover a large portion of the table top 20.

A plate 34 is attached to the lower surface 24 for supporting the tabletop 20. The plate 34 includes a periphery 36 that is spaced inwardly ofthe border 26 and presents a first side 38 and a second side 40 parallelto one another and a first end 42 and a second end 44 with a pluralityof diagonal corners 46 interconnecting the sides 38, 40 and the ends 42,44. The table top 20 defines a pair of first openings 48 disposed alongeach side 38, 40 of the plate 34 and a pair of second openings 50disposed at each end 42, 44 and at each corner 46 of the plate 34.

An electronic player interaction area 52 is disposed in each of theopenings 48 for player input, displaying virtual cards and otherinformation to the players. In one embodiment each electronic playerinteraction area 52 is embodied in a touch screen display. Eachelectronic player interaction area 52 may include the display and acomputer contained with a single housing. The electronic display orcentrally located electronic display 32 may be controlled or driven by aseparate computer such as a personal computer. In an alternativeembodiment, the electronic player interaction areas 52 and theelectronic display 32 may be implemented in a single display that coversa large portion of the table top 20. The apparatus also includes asupport frame 54 for supporting the table top 20. The apparatus includesa hinge 56 for pivotal movement of the table top 20 relative to thesupport frame 54 between a closed position and an open position.

The apparatus is distinguished by the plate 34 presenting a plateaperture 58 substantially co-extensive with the electronic display 32.The plate 34 is also connected to the hinge 56 for aiding in thesupporting and pivoting of the table top 20.

The apparatus includes a plurality of biasing members 60 interconnectingthe support frame 54 and the plate 34 for holding the table top 20 inthe open position. Air springs, shown as an example and not meant to belimiting, represent the biasing members 60.

The support frame 54 defines a cavity 62 with an oval shape and a sidewall 64 for housing electronics such as computers, game controllers,fans, power supplies, etc. An electronic control 66 unit is disposed inthe cavity 62 and electronically connected to the electronic display 32.For example, the electronic control unit 66 may include a game computer(not shown) for running one or more computer program applications whichprovide the electronic game to the players. Another computer (not shown)may be provided for controlling or driving the electronic display 32.The support frame 54 further includes an access panel 68 disposed on theside wall 64 that provides access to an on/off power switch (not shown)and a reset switch (not shown). The side wall 64 engages the plate 34with the table top 20 extending in a cantilevered portion outwardly ofthe side wall 64 and the periphery 36 of the plate 34.

The support frame 54 includes a box frame 70 and a leg frame 72 forsupporting the box frame 70. The leg frame 72 includes a pair ofoppositely disposed and horizontal T-shaped members 74 and a pad 76disposed at the distal end of each leg of each T-shape member 74 forsupporting the leg frame 72 on a floor. The leg frame 72 includes a post78 extending upwardly from each leg of each T-shape member 74 to supportthe box frame 70. A ring 80 extends about and connects to each of theposts 78 to define a foot rest 82.

An alternative embodiment of the table game apparatus 10 is shown inFIG. 4. In this embodiment, the plate 34 is spaced apart from andattached to the lower surface 24 of the table top 20 to define a space90 there between. Furthermore, the plate 34 extends to an edge 84disposed at the border 26. In this embodiment the side wall 64 engagesthe plate 34 which results in the plate 34 and the table top 20extending in a cantilevered portion outwardly of the side wall 64. Theplate 34 also defines a plurality of apertures 86 that are used forreceiving one or more electrical leads 88 or a wiring harness thatextends into the space between the plate 34 and the table top 20. Forexample and not meant to be limiting, one end of the electrical lead canbe connected to the electronic display 32. While the body of theelectrical lead would extend throughout the space 90 and out one of theapertures 86 to connect the other end of the electrical lead to theelectronic control unit 66 housed in the cavity 62. The apertures 86 canalso be used for the insertion of electronic devices, for example andnot meant to be limiting, speakers.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A table game apparatus for playing an electronic game comprising: asubstantially planar table top having an upper surface and a lowersurface extending to a border; said table top configured for mounting acentrally located electronic display; a plate attached to said lowersurface for supporting said table top; a support frame supporting saidtable top; a hinge for pivotal movement of said table top relative tosaid support frame between a closed position and an open position; andsaid plate presenting a plate aperture substantially co-extensive withsaid electronic display and said plate being connected to said hinge forsupporting and pivoting said table top.
 2. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 1 including a plurality of biasing members interconnecting saidsupport frame and said plate for holding said table top in said openposition.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said supportframe defines a cavity and a side wall.
 4. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 3 including an electronic control unit disposed in said cavity andelectronically connected to said electronic display.
 5. An apparatus asset forth in claim 4 including an access panel disposed on said sidewall.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said support frameincludes a box frame and a leg frame supporting said box frame.
 7. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said leg frame includes a pairof oppositely disposed and horizontal T-shaped members and a paddisposed at the distal end of each leg of each T-shape member forsupporting said leg frame on a floor.
 8. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 7 wherein said leg frame includes a post extending upwardly fromeach leg of each T-shape to support said box frame.
 9. An apparatus asset forth in claim 8 including a ring extending about and connected toeach of said posts to define a foot rest.
 10. An apparatus as set forthin claim 9 wherein said plate includes a periphery spaced inwardly ofsaid border and said side wall engages said plate with said table topextending in a cantilevered portion outwardly of said side wall andoutwardly of said periphery of said plate to said border.
 11. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said periphery of said platepresents a first side and a second side parallel to one another and afirst end and a second end with a plurality of diagonal cornersinterconnecting said sides and said ends.
 12. An apparatus as set forthin claim 11 wherein said table top defines a pair of first openingsdisposed along each side of said plate and a second opening disposed ateach end and at each corner of said plate.
 13. An apparatus as set forthin claim 12 including an electronic player interaction area disposed ineach of said openings for player input.
 14. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 13 including a plurality of pieces disposed about said border todefine a bumper.
 15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein saidplate is attached to said lower surface and extends to an edge disposedat said border.
 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein saidplate is spaced apart from said lower surface.
 17. An apparatus as setforth in claim 16 wherein said side wall engages said plate with saidplate and said table top extending in a cantilevered portion outwardlyof said side wall.
 18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 whereinsaid plate defines a plurality of apertures for receiving electricalleads from electrical components.
 19. An apparatus as set forth in claim18 including a plurality of pieces disposed about said border to definea bumper.
 20. A table game apparatus for playing an electronic gamecomprising: a substantially planar table top having an upper surface anda lower surface; said table top configured for mounting an electronicdisplay; a plurality of electronic player interaction areas; a platebeing spaced apart and coupled to said table top to define a space therebetween; a support frame supporting said table top; a hinge for pivotalmovement of said table top relative to said support frame between aclosed position and an open position; and said plate presenting a plateaperture substantially co-extensive with said electronic display andsaid plate being connected to said hinge for supporting and pivotingsaid table top.
 21. A table game apparatus as set forth in claim 20including an electrical lead extending in said space and being connectedto said electronic display.
 22. A table game apparatus as set forth inclaim 21 including an electronic control unit being connected by saidelectrical lead to said electronic display.
 23. A table game apparatusfor playing an electronic game comprising: a substantially planar tabletop having an upper surface and a lower surface; said table topconfigured for mounting an electronic display; a plurality of electronicplayer interaction areas; a plate being spaced apart and coupled to saidtable top to define a space there between; a support frame supportingsaid table top; a hinge for pivotal movement of said table top relativeto said support frame between a closed position and an open position;and said plate being connected to said hinge for supporting and pivotingsaid table top.